About Injury Prevention Trauma Prevention Resources Trauma Locations

Injury Prevention Programs

Traumatic injuries can lead to disability or death and affect people of all ages. However, simple safety precautions can help prevent or avoid many injuries.

The Trauma Prevention and Outreach Program at UC San Diego Health is committed to preventing and reducing injuries through education, community outreach and strong partnerships. We work with local organizations and experts to share evidence-based strategies and successful trauma prevention programs that help keep San Diego residents safe.

Stay Informed

We offer and support programs that prevent injuries through collaboration between UC San Diego experts and community organizations across the county. These include UC San Diego initiatives from the Trauma Research & Education Foundation, the Injury Epidemiology Prevention & Research Center, and the Training, Research and Education for Driving Safety (TREDS) program, which focuses on driver and pedestrian safety.

Learn How to Keep Your Family Safe

Fall Prevention

Falls are a leading cause of hospitalization, especially among seniors, and can lead to serious health complications. In San Diego County, one in four older adults (ages 65+) falls each year, usually at home while doing daily activities.

Falls can lead to bleeding, broken bones, brain injuries, and even death. The good news is that there are simple steps you can take to reduce your risk.

Tips to Prevent Falls

Talk With Your Doctor

Get Your Vision Check

Exercise Regularly

Keep Your Home Safe

Medication Review

Footwear Check

Stay Alert

Ask for Support

Stay Social

Explore Fall Prevention Resources

UC San Diego Health Resources

Fall prevention classes: Free with registration. Call 619-543-1957 or email traumainjuryprevention@health.ucsd.edu for details.
- A Matter of Balance is an eight-week class to reduce the fear of falling and increase physical activity and knowledge.
- Bingocize is a ten-week class combining bingo with exercise and fall prevention education.
Rehabilitation programs for seniors: Join support groups, classes and clubs for healthy aging and recovery after a stroke or physical disability. Call 619-229-7216 or visit Programs for Active Living & Support (PALS).

Other Programs in San Diego County

County-sponsored classes: Free and low-cost fitness programs, tai chi and walking groups. Call 858-495-5500 or visit healthierlivingSD.org.
Yoga classes for seniors: Free in-person, virtual and prerecorded sessions. Visit Silver Age Yoga.
Water fitness classes: A gentle, low-impact way to exercise. Visit sandiego.gov/pools to find your nearest pool.
Aging and independence services: Trained county staff can connect you with programs and referrals in several categories, including help with living at home, healthy living, nutrition, meals and senior dining, mental health and safety, financial/legal advocacy, health insurance, technology and transportation. Call 800-339-4661 or visit San Diego County Aging & Independence Services (AIS).
Community and senior centers: Find activities and events at a San Diego County community/recreation center or senior center near you. You can also check out recreation centers in San Diego, National City and Chula Vista, or search online for rec centers in your city.

Online Resources

Fall prevention course: Sign up for free guidance through a Live Strong & Safe course.
Online quiz: Take the Falls Free Checkup quiz by the National Council on Aging to get your fall risk score and information.
Fall risk checklist: Use the Stay Independent checklist to see if you're at risk of falling and learn how to stay safe.

Driver Safety

Traffic collisions are the leading cause of deaths and injuries across all age groups, and about 95% of these are preventable. That's why UC San Diego Health is supporting community efforts to reverse this trend in two ways.

Collaborating with San Diego Trauma System partners to expand countywide reach

Providing education and training to improve roadway safety and conducting research to guide public policy

Video: Take Action Against Distracted Driving

Older male driver with right hand on the wheel talks holding cellphone to his left ear. — Watch the video to learn practical tips to stay safe on the road, prevent accidents and protect yourself and others from common driving risks.

Tips on Driving Safely

1. Be a safe driver

2. Avoid distracted driving

3. Don't drink and drive

Stay Safe, Stay Sober: Watch These Videos

Impaired Driving Is Not an Accident

Learn what really happens at a DUI checkpoint and how to stay safe on the road.

Watch Video

Driving High Is Still DUI

Understand the effects of marijuana on your driving ability and the associated risks.

Watch Video

Blood alcohol content and driving: Learn how alcohol affects your ability to drive safely and make responsible choices.

Pedestrian Safety

UC San Diego Health is working with the City of San Diego's Vision Zero pedestrian safety committee, providing data to support changes to make streets and sidewalks safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers. Here are some tips for pedestrians:

Cross only in marked crosswalks and follow pedestrian signals.
Make eye contact with drivers to be sure they see you before stepping into the street.
Put your phone away — don't walk distracted.
Be visible — wear reflective clothing when walking at night or in low light.

Video: Watch Pedestrian Safety Tips

Traffic signal light with symbol of person in white light crossing — While crossing the road, make safety your top priority by following traffic rules. Avoid distractions, practice defensive walking and don’t jaywalk.

Gun Safety

Many gun deaths and injuries are preventable. Here are some ways to stay safe:

Always assume a gun is loaded.
Store firearms securely.
Keep guns out of reach of people at risk of hurting themselves or others.
Read these guides to learn more:

Gun Safety and Your Health (English)
Seguridad con armas de fuego, y su salud (Spanish)

Burn Prevention

Each year, approximately 4,500 people in the U.S. die from a burn-related injury. UC San Diego Health, along with the Burn Institute and San Diego County, offers burn prevention education and education and hosts events for burn survivors.

The UC San Diego Health Regional Burn Center provides personalized care and treatment for people of all ages. To lower your risk, practice kitchen safety, keep hot liquids out of children's reach, install and check smoke alarms regularly, and create a home fire escape plan.

Effective Strategies for Trauma Prevention

We can work together through education, research and community outreach to improve and coordinate injury prevention efforts, aiming to stop injuries before they happen. Our Level 1 Trauma Center at UC San Diego Health provides outstanding and effective patient care, but we see prevention as the most effective way to reduce traumatic injury and death. We're taking action with these evidence-based strategies:

Partnering with the community: We work with hospitals, universities, police and fire departments, and local nonprofit agencies to share expertise, research findings and prevention initiatives with those at the highest risk for traumatic injury. Our partners include the San Diego County Fall Prevention Task Force, the City of San Diego Vision Zero program, the Burn Institute and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
Using research to guide prevention: Studies show that implementing best-practice programs can reduce traumatic injuries and death. We use insights gained from academic medicine research to develop highly effective injury prevention strategies. Learn more about our efforts:
Educating the public: Community outreach programs, such as Stop the Bleed, a hands-on bleeding control training from the American College of Surgeons, teach the public to save lives from preventable injuries.